Stuttering Gor seek first win against impressive Rangers

Friday February 19 2016

Enock Agwanda (left) of Gor Mahia takes a shot at the Chemelil FC goal as Joseph Okumu closes in during a KPL match at the Moi Stadium Kisumu on February 17, 2016. Defending champions Gor Mahia will be looking for their first win of the season when they entertain Posta rangers on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

Defending champions Gor Mahia will be looking for their first win of the season when they entertain Posta rangers on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The highlight of the weekend will see KPL heavyweights Ulinzi Stars and Tusker clash at the Machakos Stadium.

Ulinzi coach Robert Matano, whose team failed to win against a numerically disadvantaged Sony Sugar side last time out, will be facing his former employers who are now under the services of Ugandan tactician Paul Nkata.

Domestic cup holders Bandari will also look for their first win of the campaign on Sunday against Kakamega Homeboyz in Mombasa.

Defending champions Gor Mahia will be looking for their first win of the season when they entertain Posta rangers on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The K'ogalo outfit were held to a surprising barren draw by Chemilil Sugar in their mid-week encounter at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Gor have lost twice and drawn once in their last three matches, and a win is becoming more and more crucial for troubled coach Frank Nuttall.

They face an impressive Rangers side that beat Muhoroni Youth 2-0 in the opening match last weekend, although brace hero Timothy Otieno who is on loan from Gor Mahia will not be eligible to feature in the game.

Rangers Coach Zedekiah Otieno was ecstatic after collecting three points against Muhoroni, and has put full faith in his squad ahead of the clash.

“Like always we shall be playing for a win. These are still early days and is difficult to predict the outcome of the match but I trust my players. I know they will deliver a good result,” he told Daily Nation Sport.

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Rwandan striker Jacques Tuyisenge who signed for the champions on a Sh4 million fee will miss the match with a tender ankle, as will midfielder Ali Abondo who is yet to return from trials in South Africa.

TOP CLASH

The highlight of the weekend will see KPL heavyweights Ulinzi Stars and Tusker clash at the Machakos Stadium.

Ulinzi coach Robert Matano, whose team failed to win against a numerically disadvantaged Sony Sugar side last time out, will be facing his former employers who are now under the services of Ugandan tactician Paul Nkata.

Matano said that the use of long balls didn’t work for his team last weekend, and he has demanded more precise passing and better attacking from his strikers.

“No more long balls this time. I want the boys to perfect their passes because that is the tactic we shall use against Tusker,” he said.

Early table toppers Sofapaka travel to Muhoroni in a tricky encounter.

Batoto ba Mungu recorded a 3-1 win over Ushuru last weekend and will be hoping to disapprove critics who predicted the team would struggle with squad balance and cohesion having lost 21 players last season.

BUSY BANDARI OPTIMISTIC

Domestic cup holders Bandari will also look for their first win of the campaign on Sunday against Kakamega Homeboyz in Mombasa.

The Dockers, will be hoping to avoid fatigue as the match will be their third in a space of a week.

Despite new high-profile signings who include Dan Sserunkuma, Edwin Wafula, Bernard Mangoli and Felly Mulumba, the Mombasa-based side appeared sluggish in their league opener against City Stars on Thursday.

However, Bandari still are odds on favourites to bag maximum points heading into the encounter.

In Kisumu, Western Stima will be looking to earn redemption following last week's loss to Homeboyz when they face against City Stars.